Niantic brings back India’s favorite festive Pokémon with in-game bonuses, shiny encounters, and exclusive on-ground events in Bengaluru and New Delhi.
India, October 07, 2025 — Niantic is set to light up the season with the return of Pokémon GO’s Festival of Lights 2025, celebrating togetherness, culture, and adventure. This year, Pikachu wearing a saree and Pikachu wearing a kurta make a much-awaited comeback, spreading festive cheer across India both in-game and through exclusive real-world activations.
The Festival of Lights event will take place from Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM to Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 8:00 PM, giving Trainers across India a chance to catch these region-exclusive Pokémon and enjoy themed activities designed to capture the festive spirit.
Adding to the excitement, on-ground celebrations will be held at Nexus Mall Koramangala in Bengaluru and Nexus Select CityWalk in New Delhi on October 18 and 19, where fans can experience Pokémon GO come to life beyond their screens.
The event also brings back beloved Pokémon from previous seasons like Ponyta, Chinchou, Volbeat, Litwick, and Morelull, appearing more frequently through Incense. Trainers can also earn 2× Stardust for catching Pokémon, enjoy 2× Incense duration, and collect exclusive Festival of Lights stickers featuring Pikachu in festive attire.
Event Highlights:
Increased Incense Encounters: Ponyta*, Chinchou*, Volbeat*, Litwick*, Morelull*, Tadbulb (Chance of Shiny encounter)
Raids: Pikachu wearing a saree* and Pikachu wearing a kurta* (Chance of Shiny encounter)
Field Research Tasks: Reward encounters with Pikachu in festive attire
Collection Challenge: Earn Premium Raid Pass, Stardust, and XP
Timed Research: Unlock encounters with festive Pikachu, Premium Raid Passes, Rare Candy, and Poké Balls
This event underscores Niantic’s ongoing commitment to the Indian Pokémon GO community by localizing experiences that blend culture and gameplay. Over the years, the company has introduced India-themed Pokémon, added new PokéStops across cities, and hosted major events that have brought millions of Trainers together.
By combining digital adventures with real-world celebrations, Niantic continues to strengthen its connection with Indian Trainers and promises even more exciting, inclusive, and immersive experiences in the future.
About Niantic:
Niantic, Inc. builds real-world augmented reality experiences that inspire exploration, discovery, and social connection. Best known for Pokémon GO, Niantic’s games encourage players to explore the world around them while fostering community and shared experiences.
